Election bribery law was not broken during Romney visit

WAUKESHA CO. -- Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel says no one broke Wisconsin's Election Bribery Law when presidential candidate Mitt Romney handed out free Cousins Subs sandwiches in April.

The complaint the D.A. investigated was filed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. It alleged the sandwiches were being handed out in exchange for voting.

In Schimel's statement to the media, he said -- "There is no question that the sandwich and soft drink exceeded the statutory threshold value of $1.00. The only question is whether the items were offered to induce voting."

The statement goes on to say -- "The facts demonstrate that no one was directly paid to vote.  They also demonstrate that no one was transported to the polling site or was in any other way offered any assistance in voting."

Schimel said -- "It is common knowledge that on election day, candidates stop in at local diners, senior centers and other places the public gathers to remind people to vote.  That is what candidates do on election day. In his interactions with people in the sandwich line and during his speech, Governor Romney acknowledges the fact that it is likely that many present have already voted."

In the end -- "The evidence demonstrates that the intention of the organizers was only to provide lunch to invited volunteers and supporters. Thus, no one who was not otherwise inclined to vote was intentionally offered any inducement to do so."

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